Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Julie DelegalMay 3, 2015

Just as House lawmakers were putting together their annual “trains” – cramming multiple, tangentially related bills into hundreds of pages of amendments so they could pass them all at the eleventh hour – a funny thing happened. They upped and quit. On April 27, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli prematurely banged his gavel, ending the session […]

Daniel TilsonMay 3, 2015

Floridians deserve clarity on healthcare reform. After years of confusion and consternation caused by opponents of the Affordable Care Act, it’s no wonder much of Main Street Florida is unfazed by or unaware of details of last week’s melodramatic work stoppage in the Florida Legislature. Sure, some people are disgusted and fed up, while others […]

Peter SchorschApril 27, 2015

During a story arc of the third season of 30 Rock, Jon Hamm plays Drew, the boyfriend of Tina Fey’s character Liz Lemon. In the episode “The Bubble,” Fey begins to notice that people treat Hamm differently because of his good looks. After watching a traffic cop rip up a ticket for Drew, and fashion […]

Guest AuthorApril 23, 2015

The Florida Constitution requires the Florida Legislature to pass a balanced budget and send it to the governor. This is the Constitution’s primary mandate for the Legislature. The Florida budget, like any budget, is comprised of two components: income and expenses. Governmental income is derived from the taxes and fees paid by Floridians and visitors […]

Guest AuthorApril 20, 2015

Six years ago, when Katie Swingle’s son was only 18 months old, a doctor reported that her boy’s autism would probably prevent him from ever being able to speak. Today, Katie’s son is not only communicating orally, but he’s also writing – in cursive! And Katie says the Florida Legislature is partly to thank. That’s […]

Bruce RitchieApril 6, 2015

What had become the “year of the environment” for the 2015 legislative session has become a year of disappointment for some environmentalists. Amendment 1 and statewide water policy were major issues heading into the session, with growth management also emerging once the opening gavel dropped. Approved by 75 percent of voters in November, Amendment 1 provides […]

Bruce RitchieApril 5, 2015

What had become the “year of the environment” for the 2015 legislative session has become a year of disappointment for some environmentalists. Amendment 1 and statewide water policy were major issues heading into the session, with growth management also emerging once the opening gavel dropped. Approved by 75 percent of voters in November, Amendment 1 provides […]

Guest AuthorApril 2, 2015

The prescription drug program Florida legislators created in 2009 to monitor controlled substances has helped reduce the number of Floridians who suffer from prescription drug addiction. Medications provide great benefit to patients when used correctly and under the guidance of their treating physician. Some opiod drugs are now being crushed into powder or injected and […]

Guest AuthorApril 1, 2015

The ideological fissure that cleaves the Republican Party nationwide will be on display in Tallahassee as the legislative leadership labors to bring the state budget in for a landing by May 1. The critical issue, which on its face is about as exciting as watching paint dry, is whether to accept federal money to indirectly […]

Guest AuthorMarch 31, 2015

Dear legislator: A number of years ago I was playing golf at Solivita, a community near Poinciana on the Polk County side of Osceola County. The area looked strangely familiar, especially the cypress swamps and pine woods between the holes. As I came up one fairway and looked into an oak hammock, I saw the […]

Tag: House
Image via AP.

Julie Delegal: Slackers in the Florida House leave 800,000 Floridians exposed

Daniel Tilson: Truth can free Florida from 'healthcare house of mirrors'

Peter Schorsch: When will Speaker Steve Crisafulli's bubble burst?

Garrett Richter: Health care in Florida: It’s our money and we deserve a return

William Mattox: Expand innovative program for special-needs students

Bruce Ritchie: At session midpoint, disappointment replaces promise

Bruce Ritchie: At session midpoint, disappointment replaces promise

Sandi Frear: Why abuse-deterring opioids should be legislative priority

Jack Stevenson: Health care pits RINOS vs. Tea Partiers in budget fight

Rick Dantzler — Dear Legislator: Where will Fla. kids learn to hunt and fish?